To replace the battery in an iPod Video (5th gen or 5.5 gen) is not too difficult and the video on this page will show you how to do it. Many of the replacement batteries you can find here are higher capacity than the original battery, so your play time can be longer. The replacement batteries are not the same for 30 GB as for the 60 GB and 80 GB. The 30 GB iPod video has a different battery than is used for the 60 & 80 GB.

 

There are some key things which will help make this successful

- The iPod video is pretty robust and is easier to work on than some other models. The part to be careful of is when you are lifting the brown tab (usually brown at least) on the battery cable, BE VERY GENTLE. If you break this tiny connector, you will have to get a new one which is not easy to find or if it breaks off from the Main board, you are hosed and will have to get a new Main Board. Use a small flat head screw driver to lift the connector tab up away from the socket on the board. You should literally be using force slightly higher than the weight of the small screwdriver you are using to lift the tab.

 

-After the battery is installed, tug it gently to be sure it is seated. If it comes out, you will need to lift the tab again, insert the battery cable, and push the tab down.

 

-The battery must go in the correct orientation. If you put it where it belongs on the back case, when you fold the case over the cable will be oriented correctly. There is a side of the end of the cable that goes in the socket: the side with the metallic leads will face the screen, and the side with an insulator (piece of plastic paper) goes toward the bottom.

 

-Charge the battery for 24 hours after you install it. It may be unsubstantiated or it may be real that there are memory effects in the battery which requires it to get a totally full charge the first time out.